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Classical Studies

Welcome to the Classics Division of the Department of Classical and Oriental Studies

We teach the languages and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, as well as the archaeology of the ancient world. A variety of courses are scheduled from 8 am to 9:30 pm. Both day and evening students can pursue any one of our five majors: Greek, Latin, Greek and Latin, Classical Studies, and Archaeology. On the graduate level, we offer an MA in Adolescence Education Grades 7 - 12.

Our division currently has 8 full-time faculty members and approximately 10 adjunct faculty members, 65 undergraduate majors, and 13 graduate students. Each semester, over 1100 students are enrolled in courses within the division, which is located at the southwest corner of Lexington Avenue and 68th Street on the Upper East Side.

A brief history: Latin has been part of the Hunter curriculum since the founding of the College in 1870. In 1998, The Classical Association of the Empire State (CAES) recognized our Latin Program as the "Outstanding Latin Program in New York State," an award never before given to a college program. The importance of Classics at Hunter College is evident in the college's Latin motto, mihicurafuturi (the care of the future is mine) and in its patron deity, Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. Tony Smith's sculpture Tau - named for the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet - stands on the Hunter plaza at the corner of 68th and Lexington.